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Host an Event

Event Formats

Employer events are a great way for your organization to connect with Northwestern students. Popular formats include:

Please reach out to your Employer Recruiting Strategist to figure out which option would work best for your organization.

Room Rental Rates and Event Timing

Submitting an Event Request

You can submit a request for an employer event in NCA’s career platform, Handshake.

Coffee Chats

Employers use coffee chats to connect informally with students. Coffee chats can be held virtually or in-person to meet students one-on-one or in small groups. You may use coffee chats to share more about your organization, hiring initiatives, or simply build relationships with potential candidates.

Format options:

Locations:

Please note that space in these locations is available on a first come, first served basis. We recommend arriving well in advance of your coffee chats to secure a space.

On-campus:
Off-campus:

Promotion & Logistics:

Marketing Your Event

Organizations must schedule their information sessions in Handshake at least two weeks prior to the event or RSVP date to receive marketing for their events.* While we cannot send dedicated promotional emails to students on behalf of an employer due to the high volume of marketing material we receive, NCA will include a list of upcoming employer information sessions/recruiting events in our weekly emails to undergraduate and/or graduate students, as well as in industry emails to students who have selected specific career interests in Handshake.

*Please note that organizations will be listed along with other recruiting events that occur during the same day/week.

NCA Employer Events Are Business Casual

In an effort to be more inclusive and to broaden your talent pool, all on-campus employer events are business casual for students. We encourage you and your organization’s representatives to also dress in business casual to make students feel more welcome and comfortable.

Your Employer Recruiting Strategist can also work with you on an engagement and communication strategy. Find more information about building your brand at Northwestern.

Logistics by Venue

Norris University Center

Address and Parking

Room Rental Rate and Payment

  • The Norris Events Management team will contact you directly about payment approximately 10 business days after your event.

A/V and Room Setup

  • The use of a projector and screen is included in the room rental rate for all Norris rooms. The Norris Events Management team will be available to help you set-up your presentation. For events in the Louis room, an A/V technician is required to staff the event; additional fees for the technician are included in the room rental estimate PDF.
  • The room will be set-up lecture style unless otherwise specified. For other room set-ups, please contact the Norris Events Management team at norris-events@northwestern.edu.

Optional Catering and Shipping

  • Catering for your employer event is not required, nor do students expect it. If you do choose to order catering, you are required to use the university’s preferred caterer, Compass Group. Please contact Tiffany Scroggins, tiffany.scroggins@northwestern.edu, to place an order.
  • For events held in Norris, boxes can be shipped to:
    Norris University Center
    Attn: Dornette Ashley (3rd Floor Admin)
    1999 Campus Drive
    Evanston, IL 60208
  • Boxes cannot arrive more than 2 business days in advance of your event. Please inform your Employer Recruiting Strategist if you plan on shipping materials, so that they can be retrieved for your event. NCA cannot ship extra materials back to your office

Guild Lounge

Address and Parking

Room Rental Rate and Payment

  • The Guild Lounge Events Management team will contact you directly about payment approximately 10 business days after your event.

A/V and Room Set-up

  • The use of a projector, screen, and microphone is included in the room rental rate. Guild Lounge requires an A/V technician to staff the event; additional fees for the technician are included in the room rental estimate PDF.
  • The room will be set-up lecture style unless otherwise specified. For other room set-ups, please contact Evangeline Johnson, the Guild Lounge Coordinator, at evangeline-johnson@northwestern.edu.

Optional Catering and Shipping

  • Catering for your employer event is not required, nor do students expect it. If you do choose to order catering, you are required to use the university’s preferred caterer, Compass Group. Please contact Tiffany Scroggins, tiffany.scroggins@northwestern.edu, to place an order.
  • Event materials cannot be shipped to Guild Lounge. Organizations are responsible for bringing their own materials.

Northwestern Career Advancement

Address and Parking

  • Northwestern Career Advancement's Garden Level is located at 620 Lincoln Street in Evanston, IL 60208
  • There is free parking available in the lot that surrounds Northwestern Career Advancement located at 620 Lincoln Street in Evanston, IL 60208. When you arrive, please ask for a parking pass at the front desk.

Room Rental Rate and Payment

  • There is no cost associated with using the NCA Garden Level.

A/V and Room Set-up

  • You can connect your laptop to NCA’s TV screen to display a presentation using an HDMI cord. If your laptop does not have an HDMI port, contact your Employer Recruiting Strategist, and we can provide a laptop for you.
  • The room will be set-up lecture style unless otherwise specified. For other room set-ups, please contact your Employer Recruiting Strategist.

Optional Catering and Shipping

  • Catering for your employer event is not required, nor do students expect it. If you do choose to order catering, you can order from any caterer or local restaurant in Evanston.
  • For events held at Northwestern Career Advancement, boxes can be shipped to:

Northwestern Career Advancement
620 Lincoln Street
Evanston, IL 60208

  • Boxes cannot arrive more than 2 business days in advance of your event. Please inform your Employer Recruiting Strategist if you plan on shipping materials, so that they can be retrieved for your event. NCA cannot ship extra materials back to your office.